Pope Francis is set to embark on his fifth visit to Africa on Tuesday, traveling first to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and then to South Sudan, where he will advocate for peace in these violence-plagued nations. Thousands of well-wishers are expected to gather at Kinshasa’s Ndjili International Airport to welcome the 86-year-old pontiff, whose plane is scheduled to land around 3:00 PM local time (1400 GMT). This marks the first papal visit to the DRC since 1985, a country with a population of nearly 100 million, 40 percent of whom are Catholic. The six-day trip was initially planned for July 2022 but had to be postponed due to the pope’s knee pain, which has recently necessitated the use of a wheelchair. Security concerns also contributed to the delay, leading the Vatican to cancel an original plan to visit Goma in the eastern DRC, an area rife with armed groups.
In a message delivered after his Angelus prayer at St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Francis expressed his affection for the people awaiting him. He acknowledged the suffering endured by the DRC and South Sudan, stating, “These lands, situated in the center of the great African continent, have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts.” He lamented the “armed clashes and exploitation” in the DRC and noted that South Sudan, “wracked by years of war, longs for an end to the constant violence.” Despite the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, approximately two-thirds of its population lives on less than $2.15 a day, with ongoing violence particularly affecting the eastern provinces. The Tutsi-led armed group M23, which Kinshasa claims is supported by neighboring Rwanda, has been seizing significant territory in North Kivu province. Additionally, the region has experienced a surge in deadly attacks attributed to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a group affiliated with the Islamic State, including a recent bomb blast at a Pentecostal church that resulted in 14 fatalities.
Upon arrival at Kinshasa airport, Pope Francis will be welcomed in a ceremony before meeting with President Felix Tshisekedi at the presidential palace. He will then deliver the first of a dozen speeches planned for the trip, addressing government authorities, the diplomatic corps, and representatives of civil society. Samuel Pommeret from the Catholic humanitarian group CCFD-Terre Solidaire, which operates in the region, noted that the pope could deliver a powerful message to politicians regarding corruption, especially with a general election approaching in December. Tens of thousands are expected to attend a prayer vigil at N’dolo airport on Tuesday evening, leading up to a mass on Wednesday morning anticipated to attract over a million faithful. In the lead-up to the visit, papal memorabilia has been selling well in Kinshasa, with 66-year-old Elisabeth Akwete among those purchasing a calendar featuring the pope’s image. “It’s a joy to have the image of the head of the Church at home,” she shared with AFP.
During his time in the DRC, the pope will also meet with victims of violence, as well as clergy and charitable organizations working in the country. On Friday, he will travel to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, one of the world’s poorest nations, which has faced continuous crises since gaining independence in 2011. The country endured a brutal five-year civil war, and ongoing conflicts between rival ethnic groups continue to take a heavy toll on civilians. In Juba, the pope will be joined by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, and the leader of the Church of Scotland. “Together, as brothers, we will make an ecumenical pilgrimage of peace, to entreat God and men to bring an end to the hostilities and for reconciliation,” Pope Francis stated on Sunday.
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